MILWAUKEE -- Marathon participants at this year's 2017 PNC Milwaukee Marathon ran on a course about 4,000 feet too short, race organizers confirmed Wednesday.
"Misinterpretation of the route certification map caused the turnaround on the Hank Aaron State trail to be set in the incorrect spot, causing the route to be approximately 4200' short," Race Director Chad Antcliff said in a statement.
4,200 feet represents about 3 percent of a marathon's total overall length - 26.2 miles. The error means participants will not to be able to use their times to qualify for official USA Track & field race events.
"I was contracted by the event and it was my responsibility as the technical race director to ensure race staff and vendors clearly understand the route, its markings, and intricacies," Antcliff said. "I failed to make clear the key points with the layout of the course."
This is the second year in a row the marathon has had problems with its marathon route. Last year, a handful of runners ran an extra mile after someone deliberately moved cones from the course.
